Abstract

Introduction: Some studies have addressed the role of meta-cognitive beliefs and emotional schemes in the persistence of symptoms of post traumatic stress disorders. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the role of meta-cognitive beliefs and emotional schemes in predicting the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder in people referred to the legal medicine of Khorramabad City. Methods: The present study was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of this study consisted of all individuals with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder referring to the forensic medicine organization in Khorramabad City in 2017-2018. Among them, 200 individuals were selected as the statistical sample by available sampling method. The participants completed the PTSD Symptom Scale - Self report (PSS-SR, Foa et al, 1993), Meta-cognitive Beliefs Questionnaires (Wells and Carthage-Hatton, 2004), and Leahy Emotional Schema Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using step by step regression analysis. Results: Results revealed that there was a positive and significant correlation between the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder with meta-cognitive beliefs and emotional schemes (exept consensus and rumination) (p<0.05). In addition, multiple regression analysis showed that positive metacognitive beliefs (β= 0.500, p= 0.001), cognitive self-awareness (β= -1.090, p= 0.001), uncontrollability (β= -4.162, p= 0.001) and expression of feeling (β= -1.572, p= 0.001) might predict the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. Conclusion: With regard to the results of the current study attention should be directed to the relationship between symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and meta-cognitive beliefs. Moreover, therapeutic interventions should be targeted at improving negative metacognitive beliefs and emotional schemes in patients.